Common Procedures in Wound Care
Wound care focuses on the treatment of soft tissue and skin wounds. Wounds can be healing or non-healing, slow or complex. Pressure sores, surgical wounds, radiation sores, and foot ulcers due to diabetes, chronic bone infection, or poor blood flow are common non-healing wounds. The primary goal for wound care Warner Robins is healing the wound, preventing the wound from becoming worse or infected, helping you stay mobile, and preventing limb loss. A wound that is not healing or infected may lead to tissue loss, chronic pain, loss of function, or amputation. Wound care involves many treatment procedures, and below are some.
Stop the bleeding
If your wound is bleeding, apply pressure to it using a clean cloth or bandage. If possible, raise your wound area above your heart. Raising the wound area helps slow blood flow to the wound region. Consult your healthcare provider if bleeding does not stop with direct pressure, lasts longer than twenty minutes, or results from a serious accident. An open wound deeper than half an inch also requires medical attention.
Wound cleaning
Cleaning is the first step when you have a wound. Clean your wound with cool running water for about five minutes. If the injury has pebbles or splinters, remove them with alcohol-sterilized tweezers. If your wound has big debris, seek medical care. You can use mild soap to clean the skin around the wound. Do not use irritating soap, iodine, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide to clean your wound. Clean water is enough. Be gentle when cleaning to avoid irritating your wound.
Medications
Antibiotic creams and ointments can help keep your wound moist and reduce the risks of infection. Some antibiotic components can trigger a rash. Discontinue using the cream if you develop a rash. In most cases, your wound will be painful. You can purchase over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen to ease your pain. Avoid drugs like aspirin because they can cause or prolong bleeding.
Cover with bandage
If clothes can rub your wound, cover it with a bandage. An uncovered scrape will be at risk of opening or infection. Cover your cut with an adhesive bandage to prevent bacteria from building up. Ensure you keep your bandages clean and change them daily. Evaluate the wound during dressing to ensure it is healing appropriately. Contact your healthcare provider if the wound bleeds, appears dark red, has a yellowish discharge, or has a bad odor.
Debridement
Debridement is the procedure of removing dead skin and tissue to help a wound heal. If you have a large wound, your doctor may administer anesthesia to prevent pain. Debridement involves your doctor cleaning the skin around your wound, probing it to see how deep it is, cutting away the dead tissue, and cleaning the wound. After debridement, the wound may appear bigger and deeper, and the area will look red, pink, or fresh meat. Your doctor will then apply a dressing to keep your wound moist, promoting healing and preventing infection.
Wound care focuses on the treatment of soft tissue and skin wounds. It involves many treatment techniques, including wound cleaning, stopping bleeding, medications, covering with a bandage, and debridement. Schedule an appointment at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions for wound care to prevent chronic infections.